The DaVinci Team
MARY BUCHANAN - Science, *NBCT
At my core I’m a midwest farm girl - born and raised in Iowa. I fell in love with science as a young girl who constantly asked ‘Why?!’ I studied chemistry at the University of Northern Iowa and taught in Illinois until I moved to Madison, Wisconsin to get my Masters Degree in Chemistry Education. I taught there until 1994 when I moved to Marin. Now that I’m a Californian, I’ve got a mini suburban farm with a garden and chickens. I still experiment a lot, but on top of developing new, exciting demonstrations for my classes I most often tinker with recipes and soil amendments.
At my core I’m a midwest farm girl - born and raised in Iowa. I fell in love with science as a young girl who constantly asked ‘Why?!’ I studied chemistry at the University of Northern Iowa and taught in Illinois until I moved to Madison, Wisconsin to get my Masters Degree in Chemistry Education. I taught there until 1994 when I moved to Marin. Now that I’m a Californian, I’ve got a mini suburban farm with a garden and chickens. I still experiment a lot, but on top of developing new, exciting demonstrations for my classes I most often tinker with recipes and soil amendments.
ADAM BEEBE - Fine Arts
After a decade or so collaborating with various art collectives to produce multimedia art events and work of out of whatever materials I could get my hands on, I happened upon the opportunity to teach art to young people. Finding it an extremely rewarding endeavor, I got a job teaching art at an elementary school and returned to San Francisco State (after a ten-year “break”) to earn a BA in Art Education and a teaching credential. Most of my time outside of Drake is currently devoted to my two young children but I take any opportunity I can get into my studio.
After a decade or so collaborating with various art collectives to produce multimedia art events and work of out of whatever materials I could get my hands on, I happened upon the opportunity to teach art to young people. Finding it an extremely rewarding endeavor, I got a job teaching art at an elementary school and returned to San Francisco State (after a ten-year “break”) to earn a BA in Art Education and a teaching credential. Most of my time outside of Drake is currently devoted to my two young children but I take any opportunity I can get into my studio.
ROD MILSTEAD - Technology
While my birthplace is Billings, Montana, it’s fair to say that Washington, D.C. is my hometown. Education brought me back west and California is where I will stay. After a career in the world of real estate technology and training I made the blissful transition to teaching. I’ve been at Drake since 2000 and feel very fortunate to work in this community. The most engaging part of technology teaching is the ever-changing subject matter. There is always a new program, app or tool to explore in the classroom. My number one goal for students is to give them the tools to efficiently acquire new technical skills. Outside of Drake I am lucky to have three wonderful kids who love to build and explore.
While my birthplace is Billings, Montana, it’s fair to say that Washington, D.C. is my hometown. Education brought me back west and California is where I will stay. After a career in the world of real estate technology and training I made the blissful transition to teaching. I’ve been at Drake since 2000 and feel very fortunate to work in this community. The most engaging part of technology teaching is the ever-changing subject matter. There is always a new program, app or tool to explore in the classroom. My number one goal for students is to give them the tools to efficiently acquire new technical skills. Outside of Drake I am lucky to have three wonderful kids who love to build and explore.
CATHY SARKISIAN - English, *NBCT
I grew up among the cornfields and steel plants of Pennsylvania where I earned an undergraduate (Muhlenberg College) and graduate degree (Lehigh University) in English. In 1986 I put all my worldly possessions in a Mazda RX7 and headed to Chicago to take a teaching job at New Trier High School. Married, three daughters and sixteen years later, we drove the family Suburban west on Route 66 and relocated in San Anselmo. I started teaching at Drake High School in 2002, first in American Literature and Advanced Placement Literature and Composition, and now in the DaVinci small learning community. I invest in family, friends, students and colleagues, and I love to sing, draw, hike, watch birds, read, write, discuss and teach!
I grew up among the cornfields and steel plants of Pennsylvania where I earned an undergraduate (Muhlenberg College) and graduate degree (Lehigh University) in English. In 1986 I put all my worldly possessions in a Mazda RX7 and headed to Chicago to take a teaching job at New Trier High School. Married, three daughters and sixteen years later, we drove the family Suburban west on Route 66 and relocated in San Anselmo. I started teaching at Drake High School in 2002, first in American Literature and Advanced Placement Literature and Composition, and now in the DaVinci small learning community. I invest in family, friends, students and colleagues, and I love to sing, draw, hike, watch birds, read, write, discuss and teach!
ALEX GAUNA - Engineering
Biographical details to come . . .
Biographical details to come . . .
VALERIE WYNN - Social Studies
I’m a New Englander at heart, but after arriving in California over 20 years ago, I’ve never looked back! In an earlier life, I earned a BA in History from Brown University, then a law degree from NYU School of Law. After practicing law for 14 years in Boston and San Francisco, I decided to take a breather and see what else life might hold. Luckily, I landed here at Drake and couldn’t be happier to share my passion for history and politics with my students. I’m also thrilled to join the DaVinci team where I hope to impart skills-based learning of the world around us. Outside of teaching, I enjoy my two, wonderful, college-age children and love to swim, read, cook, hike, mentor, and discuss current events.
I’m a New Englander at heart, but after arriving in California over 20 years ago, I’ve never looked back! In an earlier life, I earned a BA in History from Brown University, then a law degree from NYU School of Law. After practicing law for 14 years in Boston and San Francisco, I decided to take a breather and see what else life might hold. Luckily, I landed here at Drake and couldn’t be happier to share my passion for history and politics with my students. I’m also thrilled to join the DaVinci team where I hope to impart skills-based learning of the world around us. Outside of teaching, I enjoy my two, wonderful, college-age children and love to swim, read, cook, hike, mentor, and discuss current events.